James Gurney

This daily weblog by Dinotopia creator James Gurney is for illustrators, plein-air painters, sketchers, comic artists, animators, art students, and writers. You'll find practical studio tips, insights into the making of the Dinotopia books, and first-hand reports from art schools and museums.

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or by email:gurneyjourney (at) gmail.comSorry, I can't give personal art advice or portfolio reviews. If you can, it's best to ask art questions in the blog comments.

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All images and text are copyright 2015 James Gurney and/or their respective owners. Dinotopia is a registered trademark of James Gurney. For use of text or images in traditional print media or for any commercial licensing rights, please email me for permission.

However, you can quote images or text without asking permission on your educational or non-commercial blog, website, or Facebook page as long as you give me credit and provide a link back. Students and teachers can also quote images or text for their non-commercial school activity. It's also OK to do an artistic copy of my paintings as a study exercise without asking permission.

Wednesday, April 20, 2016

Each summer the New York Botanical Garden chooses a theme to inspire its plantings and to guide its museum exhibition. Last year the Frida Kahlo theme attracted record crowds. This year, the topic is "Impressionism: American Gardens on Canvas."

The museum will be presenting more than 20 garden paintings and sculptures by John Singer Sargent, Childe Hassam, William Merritt Chase, and their contemporaries. Parts of the garden will be transformed with an American Impressionism theme, interpreted by Francisca Coelho—NYBG’s renowned curator and designer.

And I'm excited to announce that I've been asked to be the artist in residence.On the Opening Weekend of May 14, I'll be oil painting in the Seasonal Border and Peony Collection. It won't be a workshop or teaching gig, rather more of a "paint in public" event, and you're welcome to come by and say hello. There will be costumed models, dancers, brass bands, silent movie screenings, and a general air of Belle Epoque festivity.

On June 4th and 5th, I'll be painting in gouache and casein in the Rose Garden, emphasizing portable sketching set-ups.

I also worked with the organizers to set aside June 19 for an invitational plein-air event. From 11 a.m.–5 p.m. I'll be joined by a unique gathering of established plein-air artists spread out across the Garden's grounds.

You can watch us in action throughout the day using various media and techniques. Finished art will be made available for purchase by the individual artists on their websites. View a list of participating artists.

Denver Botanic Gardens by James Gurney,casein, 5 x 8 inches

The NYBG also wants to encourage all artists and art students to take part. There will be Plein Air Painting Drop-ins every weekend day from 12–3 p.m. in the vicinity of the Conservatory.

The official site says: "Drop in, grab a stool and some materials (watercolor paints, pencils, charcoal, or pastels, varying by weekend), and create an image of the Garden to take home! Instructors offer guided tips every half hour. Learn how to observe, draw, and paint people in gardens, much like the Impressionists did in their day. Lessons with an artist instructor will vary each weekend."

This looks like a blast! I have a related question for you: In two months I've attended lectures hosted by two different museums, one contemporary and one not, and both claimed that "realistic impressionism" is the newest trend. There are a lot of things you and I do that would fit that bill, but it still seems so ambiguous... How would you define "realistic impressionism", James?

Loved these garden paintings! Thanks a lot for sharing these pictures. I am going to take part in an arts event at a local event space in LA. Have been waiting for it since a long time. Very excited to participate in it.